Kesatria Senja: IPB University PKM Team Program Restores the Confidence of Street Children in Cibinong

The Student Creativity Program in the field of Community Service (PKM-PM) entitled Kesatria Senja (Twilight Knights) was initiated as a form of IPB University students concern for street children who have lost their self-confidence due to difficult life experiences.

This program originated from the initial idea to help street children restore their self-esteem and build their social resilience through the Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, a self-development method that emphasizes the strengths, empathy, and positive potential of each child.

The Kesatria Senja activities are focused at the Sanggar Senja Foundation, located in Pabuaran Sub-district, Cibinong District, Bogor Regency. The foundation, established by Adi Supriadi, is home to around 20 street children from various backgrounds, with 15 of them living permanently because they have no family or place to return to.

A total of 15 children became the main participants of this program. They are children aged 11 to 18 years who have experienced past trauma such as neglect and violence, and therefore need support to rediscover and appreciate themselves.

Through a series of reflective activities, expressive arts, educational games, and environmental social projects, Kesatria Senja strives to foster courage, self-confidence, and social connectedness among the foster children. The program is expected to serve as a means for them to view life with greater optimism and hope.

The leader of the implementing team, Nabil Taufiqurrahman, explained, “The great hope of this program is the formation of a young generation that is empowered, resilient, and possesses self-awareness and empathy for others.”

In addition, he continued, the method developed is expected to become a trauma-based learning model that can be sustainably applied by mentors at the Sanggar Senja Foundation as well as at similar partner institutions.

“With the spirit of twilight symbolizing new hope at the end of the day, Kesatria Senja becomes a symbol of the journey of street children toward a brighter future, a future where they can stand tall as valuable and confident individuals,” he concluded. (dh)(IAAS/RSL)